Rwanda Basketball League (2025)
Rwanda Basketball League 2025
Regular Season Champion: APR Basketball Club Kigali
Genocide Memorial Tournament Winner: APR Basketball Club Kigali
League & SuperCup MVP & Import POY & Defensive POY: Aliou Diarra
LeagueCup MVP: Ntore Habimana
Domestic POY: Kennedy Garba
Prospect POY: Franck Nyembo
Coach of the Year: James Maye
Semis Final Semis
APR3
Patriots2
APR4
REG1
REG3
UGB0
Stats Leaders 2025
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
https://www.eurobasket.com/photos/Franklin_Damaria_1.jpg

Azomco
190 G 26y
Avg: 23.4 ppg

2
22.9
3
21.9
6
20.2
8
19.5
10
18.0
Rwandan teams in Euro-Cups 2025
Player of the Week: Round 15(RS)
Eric Kayondo

UGB
(-C)

APR are 2025 RBL champions (Photo: facebook)
APR wins inaugural Super Cup (Photo: newtimes.co.rw)
APR overcome UGB to retain GTM trophy (Photo: newtimes.co.rw)
SOe misVRUMill CluM KaDila 9193
James Maye James Maye biFR
Youssou Ndoye
XdIFR
Antino Jackson
ziZVsIj
Adonis Filer Jovon
yalRQ zILIj
Jean-Victor Mukama
buViBi
William Robeyns
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# Name CM (INCH) Pos Age Nat
31 * YIussIu XdIFR 905 (4'1'') C 57 Senegal
9 * SjUajI ziZVsIj 069 (8'1'') OG 92 USA Rwanda
4 * SdIjas yalRQ zILIj 023 (8'3'') OG 59 USA Rwanda
6 * zRij-kaZUIQ buViBi 915 (8'6'') G 50 Canada Rwanda
8 * WallaiB eIMRFjs 029 (8'7'') AG 92 Belgium Rwanda
SlaIu gaiQQi 911 (8'4'') y 97 Mali
3 Xuja PBIU 917 (8'2'') Ay 50 South Sudan USA
08 XIMRl mIujDIu-CIlI 919 (8'6'') y 54 Congo-Brazaville France
9 ChissIj eijdlR 066 (8'9'') G 59 USA
39 zIQdij bZeiR 024 (8'8'') y/G 57 USA
0 PMidaih XIRl 025 (8'7'') G 98 USA
90 SlRx bpIFI 915 (8'6'') y/C 96 USA Rwanda
03 XUIQR HiMaBiji 028 (8'3'') y 96 Canada Rwanda
33 PsMIQj AhRBi 905 (4'1'') C 94 Rwanda
43 osQiRl PUIMI 911 (8'4'') C 90 Nigeria
61 Ahiffa HiMajRJi 913 (8'2'') C 96 Rwanda
00 zRij XshIMIJTi 025 (8'7'') G 94 Rwanda
51 zusUaj tTaUIjJR 020 (8'5'') AG 97 Rwanda
97 SllF KuMTaBiji 061 (3'00'') OG 51 Rwanda
09 PussRFjIu AiBMR 916 (8'01'') C 02 Senegal
7 gijR ballRQ 915 (8'6'') Ay 53 USA
3 ChQas ChQas 900 (8'00'') AG 93 Canada
97 gFlij AZhIBBRQ 917 (8'2'') y/C 96 Rwanda Switzerland
SssijR bijdaij 026 (8'8'') G 02 Senegal
05 gaZV euUiUaVi 918 (8'2'') y 90 Rwanda
Head Coach: ziBRs biFR
Coach Assistant: oDIQ buDashi
Finals MVP
League & SuperCup MVP & Import POY & Defensive POY
Top Scorer
LeagueCup MVP
Domestic POY
Prospect POY
Coach of the Year
APR are 2025 RBL champions-Jul 12, 2025
APR - REG 81-72

APR clinched League title. They overcame REG in the fifth game of the championship series to conquer the trophy. Strangely REG outrebounded APR 49-31 including 17 on the offensive glass. Senegalese center Youssou Ndoye (213-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) stepped up and scored 26 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and international point guard Antino Jackson (182-1996, college: N.Mexico) chipped in 20 points. The former international Prince Muhizi (-1996) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds and DR Congolese power forward Garmine Kande (205-1999, agency: Helping Ballers) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. REG's coach Ogoh Odaudu rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
APR: Y.Ndoye 26+7reb+1ast, A.Jackson 20+1reb+1ast, A.Filer Jovon 9+4reb+3ast, A.Mpoyo 6+2reb, I.Otobo 5+3reb+1ast, N.Habimana 5+6reb+5ast
REG: P.Muhizi 23+9reb+2ast, G.Kande 14+12reb+2ast, E.Isezerano 13+3reb+5ast, J.Umuhoza 9+5reb+6ast, C.Thomas 6+5reb, N.Bigirumwami 3
gschID: 1270255


Afrobasket.com All-Rwandan RBL Awards 2025-Jul 15, 2025
The standout Malian forward Aliou Diarra earned the Player of the Year of the championship-winning Dallas Mavericks. He received multiple other awards, picked up the Defensive Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year, and earned a spot in the First Team, Imports Team and Defensive Team. With Diarra's excellent performance, the Dallas Mavericks achieved the best record of the season in the league, finishing with an impressive 15 to 1 in the regular season. Diarra's excellent performance assisted his team in beating Rwanda Energy Group Kigali 4 to 1 in the final series. He was the Player of the Week honoree in the league. Diarra's exceptional play earned him the third spot in rebounds per game, boasting an impressive average of over 11. He also averaged 18 points per game in the league. Diarra has totalled 13 games of 20 or more points and recorded double-doubles in 16 games on the year. His 29 points against the Patriots were the most he scored in the 2025 season. Kennedy Garba, shooting guard from the Orion Kigali, was named the Domestic Player of the Year at the Rwanda Basketball League. He collected multiple other honors, was voted to the First Team and Domestic Players Team and Defensive Team. Garba received Player of the Week award twice during the 25 campaign. He orchestrated his way to the second spot in rebounds per game, showcasing a dazzling average of over 17. Garba also registered over 20 points per game that season in the league. He has totalled 8 games of 20 or more points and had double-doubles in 14 games on the year. Garba's 32 points against the Azomco were the most he scored in the 2025 season. As evident, the league is predominantly led by former college players, with 5 out of the 10 scorers having graduated from US schools. Jean-Jacques Boissy, Senegalese point guard from the Milwaukee Bucks, was selected to the First Team of Rwanda Basketball League. He received multiple other awards, was chosen to the Imports Team and Defensive Team. Boissy's best performance made his team reach the finals but they unfortunately lost against APR Basketball Club Kigali 1 to 4. He conducted his way to the second position in averaging a commendable almost 23 points per game. Boissy also recorded over 5 rebounds per game over the season in the league. He has totalled 10 games of 20 or more points on the year and logged 30 or more points in 3 games. Boissy's 37 points against the Orion were the most he scored in the 2025 season. As evident, the league is predominantly led by former college players, with 5 out of the 10 scorers having graduated from US schools. Mohamed Doumbya, 28-year old Burundian center from the United Generation Basketball Kigali, was named to the First Team at the Rwanda Basketball League. He also earned a spot in the Imports Team. With finesse and precision, Doumbya claimed the fourth position in points per game, delivering a stellar 21 points per game average and fifth spot in rebounds per game with an outstanding average of almost 10. Doumbya has totalled 8 games of 20 or more points on the year and registered 30 or more points in 2 games. He notched double-doubles in 8 games at the event. Doumbya's 32 points against Rwanda Energy Group Kigali were the most he scored in the 2025 season. As evident, the league is predominantly led by former college players, with 5 out of the 10 scorers having graduated from US schools. David Nickelberry, 26-year old American swingman from the Tigers BB Kigali, was voted to the First Team of Rwanda Basketball League. He graduated from Buffalo four years ago. Nickelberry was also selected to the Imports Team. His playmaking prowess was on full display as he secured the fifth position in points per game averaging almost 21. Nickelberry also averaged almost 9 rebounds per game in the league. He has totalled 7 games of 20 or more points on the year and recorded 30 or more points in 2 games. Nickelberry registered double-doubles in 6 games at the event. His 31 points against United Generation Basketball Kigali were the most he scored in the 2025 season. As evident, the league is predominantly led by former college players, with 5 out of the 10 scorers having graduated from US schools. He won the Venezuelan SPB championship title in 2023.
Player of the Year: Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
Finals MVP: Senegal Youssou Ndoye (213-C-34) of APR
Defensive Player of the Year: Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
Domestic Player of the Year: Rwanda Kennedy Garba (SG) of Orion
Import Player of the Year: Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
Best Prospect of the Year: DR Congo Franck Nyembo (19) of Espoir
Coach of the Year: USA-DOM James Maye of APR


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL First Team 2025
Boissy
Diarra
Doumbya
Nickelberry
Garba

First Team
Senegal Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-PG-25) of REG
Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
Burundi Mohamed Doumbya (C-28) of UGB
USA David Nickelberry (201-G/F-27) of Tigers
Rwanda Kennedy Garba (SG) of Orion


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL Second Team 2025
Kambuyi
Kande
Thomas
Cole
Perriere

Second Team
DR Congo Pitchou Kambuyi (208-C-37) of Tigers
DR Congo Garmine Kande (205-C/F-26) of REG
USA Cleveland Thomas (192-G-32) of REG
USA Elliott Cole (180-PG-31) of Patriots
France Steven-Emile Perriere (203-C/F-30) of UGB


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL Honorable Mention 2025
Bowie
Kamndoh
Kofi
Nato
Jackson

Honorable Mention
Canada Chad Bowie (188-G-29) of Kepler
Rwanda Betoudji Kamndoh (C) of Patriots
Rwanda Amatoe Kofi of UGB
Chad Ronald Nato (199-F-33) of Patriots
Rwanda Antino Jackson (182-PG-29) of APR
Rwanda Alex Mpoyo (203-F/C-28) of APR


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL All-Domestic Players Team 2025
Habimana
Garba
Kamndoh
Jackson
Mpoyo

All-Domestic Players Team
Rwanda Ntore Habimana (196-F-28) of APR
Rwanda Kennedy Garba (SG) of Orion
Rwanda Betoudji Kamndoh (C) of Patriots
Rwanda Antino Jackson (182-PG-29) of APR
Rwanda Alex Mpoyo (203-F/C-28) of APR


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL All-Imports Team 2025
Diarra
Boissy
Doumbya
Nickelberry
Thomas

All-Imports Team
Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
Senegal Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-PG-25) of REG
Burundi Mohamed Doumbya (C-28) of UGB
USA David Nickelberry (201-G/F-27) of Tigers
USA Cleveland Thomas (192-G-32) of REG


Afrobasket.com Rwandan RBL All-Defensive Team 2025
Diarra
Kambuyi
Boissy
Garba
Kande

All-Defensive Team
Mali Aliou Diarra (200-F-24) of APR
DR Congo Pitchou Kambuyi (208-C-37) of Tigers
Senegal Jean-Jacques Boissy (183-PG-25) of REG
Rwanda Kennedy Garba (SG) of Orion
DR Congo Garmine Kande (205-C/F-26) of REG
*The awards were created by Afrobasket.com staff based on the stats (if available), teams' performance and players' performance. It very often required deeper research and collecting various data about the players and their teams.
APR wins inaugural Super Cup-Jan 18, 2025
APR Basketball Club, on Friday, January 17, won the inaugural edition of the Super Cup after beating REG 73-53 at BK Arena. Introduced by Ferwaba’s general assembly in 2023, the Super Cup serves as a curtain-raiser for the new season of Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). It is contested by the league champions and the winners of the Rwanda Cup in a one-game battle. During Friday’s game, REG started as the better team, edging APR 19-18 in the first quarter. The army side fought back to go into half time with a 33- 30 lead, and didn't look back until they took the total victory of 73-53. APR’s Malian center Aliou Diarra (200-F-2001) was the game’s high scorer with 19 points, while teammates Ntore Habimana (196-G-1997, college: Laurier) and Osborn Shema (213-F-1998, college: Iona, agency: Highlight Athletes) added 11 and 10 points.
Courtesy of: newtimes.co.rw
APR overcome UGB to retain GTM trophy-Apr 28, 2025
APR Basketball Club nearly suffered an upset from United Generation Basketball (UGB) but experience helped them win their second basketball Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) in a row. James Maye Jr’s army side defeated UGB 94-92 in an epic final clash of the regional competition which concluded on Sunday, April 27, at Petit Stade indoor gymnasium. While two foreign clubs, namely Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Tanzania’s Dar City, were invited to the six-team competition, the final was an all-Rwandan affair between UGB and APR who set the date after eliminating their respective regional opponents. APR, holders of the 2024 edition, won the first quarter 20-16 but UGB took the second quarter 18-17 and cut the point gap to three points as APR head into half time leading 37-34. Back the break, APR maintained their lead, though narrow, after claiming the third quarter 30-29. UGB got it too late to make a comeback despite claiming the fourth quarter 29-27 as it was not enough to turn the result around. American point guard Chasson Randle (188-G-1993, college: Stanford) was the man of the show, as his 17 points and 3 rebounds, a well as Nobel Boungou-Colo (202-F-1988)’s 17 points and 2 rebounds, powered APR to yet another trophy which they won in 2024. Ghanaian star James Amotoe (1998) lead the scoring in the game with dropping 26 points. Despite his stellar performance, coupled with Mohamed Doumbya (C-1997)’s18 points, UGB still fell short in the final. The fact that the competition attracted some strong regional clubs not only saw the GMT upgrade to a regional tournament but it also served as a good platform for APR to sharpen-up ahead of the 2025 Basketball Africa League.
Courtesy of: newtimes.co.rw